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Undersecretary of Defense Brad Carson (left) addresses the attendees at the Warrior Care in the 21st Century symposium at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. Attendees included senior military and civilian representatives from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom for focused discussions on the topics of readiness, recovery and rehabilitation, and reintegration and post-military support. (Courtesy photo)
BETHESDA, Maryland – Oct. 20, 2015, marks the start of the Warrior Care in the 21st Century Symposium, a three day symposium organized to discuss the current and future state of care for wounded, ill and injured service members. Senior military and civilian representatives from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom joined Department of Defense officials for focused discussions on the topics of readiness, recovery and rehabilitation, and reintegration and post-military support.
Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs was among the distinguished speakers providing opening remarks at the symposium hosted at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
“This symposium allows us to have important discussions about the future of warrior care,” Woodson said. “Collectively, we have learned a great deal during 12 years of war. The symposium is about sharing ideas and establishing a continuity of dialogue on taking care of our warriors – mind, body and spirit.”
The Department of Defense expects the symposium will generate multilateral conversations to better prepare U.S. and international leadership in developing effective procedures and policies for the 21st century warrior.
“Through advances in technology and new forms of therapy, many service members who become wounded, ill or injured return to active duty or full-time employment after separating from military service,” Woodson said. “This means a customized approach to rehabilitation and reintegration strategies will continue to be of the utmost importance to ensure wounded, ill and injured service members are able to embrace their new normal.”
In addition to customized approaches, DoD is placing greater value on how personal interactions and family support makes a positive impact on recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration or transition.
“We’ve learned the importance of providing inspiration and motivation on the road to recovery with programs like the Military Adaptive Sports [Program],” Woodson said. “The Warrior Care in the 21st Century Symposium reaffirms our support to holistic care for service members and their families during their service and well into their future.”